RaboDirect PRO12 2012/2013 Final: Player Ratings

Leinster15. Isa Nacewa: 6
Defended with poise and determination, always protecting Leinster’s try line. Got himself sin binned for a silly mistake but apart from that he was a sound player for the new champions.

14. Fergus McFadden: 6
Did his job by keeping Ulster’s attacking threats, Bowe and Trimble, quiet while opening up the spaces for his fellow backs to exploit.

13. Brian O’Driscoll: 7
Played well throughout, showing himself the talismanic player that he is. Managed to keep Ulster pinned back with his consistent attacking threat.

12. Ian Madigan: 7
Playing alongside one of the world’s best centres has its advantages as Madigan has been able to slip under the radar and use his brilliant running to surprise teams. Ulster could’t contain him as he ran riot in the middle of the pitch.

11. Andrew Conway: 6
Ran well keeping the Ulster defense on their toes and pinned back. Did what was needed while snuffing out any chance Bowe and Trimble got.

10. Jonathan Sexton: 8
Put any doubters and naysayers to bed with a standout performance. Controlled proceedings well, keeping Leinster on top from start to finish with brilliant hands and vision to punish Ulster.

9. Issac Boss: 7
Kept the pace of the game in Leinster’s hands excellently. He let loose the powerful Leinster forwards who drove Ulster back throughout the contest. A great all round game from the scrum-half who silenced the world-class Pienaar all game.

3. Mike Ross: 6
All three front-rowers put in a hard, long shift for Leinster, dominating Ulster throughout the game.

4. Leo Cullen: 6.5
Defended brilliantly while running at Ulster any chance he could get. Cullen never allowed Muller or Tuohy a rest as he punished them in the line-outs, rucks and scrums.

5. Devin Toner: 6
Much like Cullen, Toner worked tirelessly to keep Ulster at bay. Played well putting in a solid shift to lift Leinster to glory.

6. Kevin McLaughlin: 7
An impressive overall performance from the flanker who never stopped motoring until the final whistle.

7. Shane Jennings: 7
Took his try well with brilliant running and vision. Put in a strong defensive showing to keep the talented Ulster back-rowers pinned back.

8. Jamie Heaslip: 8
The impressive Heaslip put in a great performance to grab a try and lead Leinster to victory. Defensively never put a foot wrong while being a constant attacking threat.

Ulster15. Jared Payne: 5.5
Played well enough but couldn’t manage to muster much in attack or even threaten the Leinster defensive line. Did the basics right but in a final players need to do more than just the basics.

14. Andrew Trimble: 5
Ran well but was another player who just didn’t find that extra gear to overpower Leinster. He played well but never found the space to put the burners on.

13. Darren Cave: 5
Never had a chance against O’Driscoll and Madigan who played blinders to keep Cave and Olding in check. No effective line-breaks but did put in a good defensive showing.

12. Stuart Olding: 5
Much like his fellow centre he failed to find space and exploit Leinster’s slower back-line. He was defensively sound but that doesn’t win games against such a talented Leinster side.

11. Tommy Bowe: 5
Didn’t play poorly but was in a similar position to Trimble as he was closed down effectively and with pace to stop him from getting his motor running.

10.Paddy Jackson: 6
Played well, passing the ball with pace and precision but he just failed to find a weakness in the Leinster line.

9. Ruan Pienaar: 6.5
Kicked the points that kept Ulster in the game but was targeted by Leinster, who successfully slowed the most dynamic player in the RaboDirect Pro12 down.

1. Tom Court: 5
Fronted up well, keeping the scrums tight and under control but did little else to assert himself on the contest.

2. Rory Best: 6
Line-outs were effective as were the scrums but Leinster defended brilliantly to keep the Ulster forwards quiet for much of the game.

3. John Afoa: 5
Much like his fellow front rowers Afoa did what was necessary but couldn’t find the space or time to make his mark on the match.

4. Johann Muller: 5.5
Defended well and dug deep in the rucks but started slowly, allowing Leinster to stay on top early from which they never let go.

5. Dan Tuohy: 5.5
Another slow starter who allowed the Leinster forward pack too much space and time in the opening exchanges which put Ulster on the back-foot from the beginning.

6. Robbie Diack: 5
Worked hard in defense but lacked any drive going forward allowing Leinster to dictate the pace of play.

7. Chris Henry: 6
Did nothing of outstanding merit but was a consistent performer. He ran hard but with the solid defensive showing from Leinster Henry couldn’t make much ground.

8. Nick Williams: 6
The Ulster back-rowers did not impose themselves effectively on the game, they gave up too much time and space to Leinster in early exchanges which set the tone for the remainder of the match.

2 thoughts on “RaboDirect PRO12 2012/2013 Final: Player Ratings”

I think the 7 for Madigan is slightly generous. He’s not a 12, plain and simple, and for all his willingness to run into tight spaces he couldn’t break the line with any regularity or impact.

Playing beside a world class 13 like BOD masked his shortcomings at 12, in my opinion. That’s not to say Madigan isn’t an exciting player – he definitely is. I can’t wait to see him make the Leinster 10 shirt his own next season and his battle with Gopperth is going to be very entertaining.